Nicaraguan government bans priest ordinations in Matagalpa Jinotega Siuna and Estelí as church persecution deepens in Nicaragua

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo, have imposed a ban on the ordination of priests and deacons in four dioceses whose bishops remain in exile.

The move deepens a pastoral crisis that has been growing amid years of religious persecution, yet seminary vocations continue despite these obstacles.

The affected dioceses include Jinotega, Siuna, Matagalpa, and Estelí.

Bishop Carlos Herrera of Jinotega, president of the bishops’ conference, was expelled in November 2024 after publicly criticizing a mayor aligned with the Ortega regime for disrupting a Mass.

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, who had been detained for 18 months, was deported to Rome in January 2024.

Government Interference and Surveillance

The ban is part of a broader strategy by the regime to exert control over the Catholic Church.

Priests in exile, who spoke anonymously to ACI Prensa, highlighted that the government uses police surveillance to enforce restrictions on ordinations.

The measures are seen as a response to the influence of exiled bishops, particularly Álvarez, whose leadership continues to guide the Church even from abroad.

“Especially in dioceses without a bishop, surveillance is even more extreme to prevent a bishop from another diocese from coming,” one priest noted.

The regime’s interference has left dioceses like Matagalpa operating with barely 30% of their active clergy, forcing many communities to go without regular sacraments and pastoral care.

Ordinations Continue Elsewhere

Some dioceses, however, are still able to ordain clergy.

The Archdiocese of Managua and the dioceses of León, Juigalpa, Granada, and Bluefields have continued ceremonies in recent months.

For example, Juigalpa ordained three deacons in December 2025, Bluefields ordained two deacons in January 2026, and León held a deacon ordination in February 2026.

This is possible because ordination requires authorization from a diocesan bishop, which can sometimes be granted remotely.

Yet the government interprets such permissions from exiled bishops as a threat to its authority, effectively blocking ceremonies in certain areas.

Vocations Remain Strong Despite Persecution

Despite the government’s obstacles, vocations to the priesthood remain resilient.

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Seminarians continue to complete their philosophical and theological training, and the Church has found ways to perform ordinations in secret.

In February, two Nicaraguans were ordained in Costa Rica to avoid retaliation.

“The Church is crucified, but it’s not immobilized,” one priest said.

“Even in adversity, the Church reinvents itself and continues to evangelize.”

Impact and Consequences

• Dioceses under exile face severe shortages of active clergy, reducing pastoral care and sacramental availability.

• Communities may experience closure of parishes if clergy cannot be replaced.

• Young men ready for ordination remain in a legal and spiritual limbo, unable to fully serve.

• Government restrictions heighten tensions between the Church and the state, potentially fueling social unrest.

• Secret ordinations reflect the Church’s adaptability and resilience in the face of persecution.

What’s Next?

The Church continues to seek ways to circumvent governmental restrictions.

Exiled bishops and local clergy may pursue further secret ordinations abroad or negotiate limited permissions domestically.

Observers will monitor whether international pressure or changes in Nicaragua’s political climate could ease restrictions on the Church.

The faithful and seminarians are likely to continue demonstrating courage and commitment, ensuring that religious life persists even amid repression.

Summary

The Ortega-Murillo government has banned priest and deacon ordinations in four Nicaraguan dioceses with exiled bishops, intensifying the country’s pastoral crisis.

While the Catholic Church struggles to maintain clergy in affected regions, vocations continue, and secret ordinations abroad provide a lifeline.

The move underscores the regime’s ongoing effort to control religious life, yet the Church demonstrates resilience and resourcefulness in the face of persecution.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Nicaragua bans ordinations in Jinotega, Siuna, Matagalpa, and Estelí dioceses due to exiled bishops.

• Bishop Carlos Herrera and Bishop Rolando Álvarez were expelled/deported, leaving dioceses vulnerable.

• Government surveillance and interference are preventing clergy from performing religious duties.

• Ordinations continue in Managua, León, Juigalpa, Granada, and Bluefields with local bishops’ approval.

• Seminarian vocations remain strong, with some ordinations conducted secretly abroad.

• Pastoral capacity in affected dioceses has dropped by 30–50%, leaving communities without regular sacraments.

• The Church adapts to persecution, maintaining religious activity despite governmental restrictions.

• Future ordinations may rely on creative solutions or shifts in political conditions.